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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 04/03/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
04/03/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Apr 02, 2019 12:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on Jeff Skinner wanting to test free agency, the Carolina Hurricanes feeling like its best to trade Adam Fox, and the Vancouver Canucks want to re-sign a defensemen the rest of the NHL seemingly threw away.
Jeff Skinner to Test Free Agency
One of the stories to watch this season has been the relationship status of Jeff Skinner and the Buffalo Sabres. He came over in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes, who seemingly dumped him, started out of the gates with insanely good production and clicked with Sabres’ star Jack Eichel. While he cooled off as the season went along, he’s still had a great season with 37 goals and 60 points in 78 games.
The issue in Buffalo now is what Skinner will be asking for as a pending unrestricted free agent. Speculation was that it could be upwards of $8 or $9 million per season. Recent reports seem to indicate the Sabres aren’t there and Skinner will look elsewhere.
Jimmy Murphy is reporting that there have been new reports coming up over the past week that Skinner will be hitting free agency. His one goal in his past 22 games helped the Sabres determine that he’s simply still too streaky a player and committing long-term to him at a huge dollar figure is a massive risk.
Hurricanes Will Try to Trade Fox
Pierre LeBrun of TSN is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes have decided they will try to trade college prospect Adam Fox. It is being considered a given that Fox has decided not to sign in Carolina so the Canes will try to get something for him.
Carolina is looking at its options and the New York Rangers remain a strong possibility.
Canucks Thinking About Re-Signing Luke Schenn
While he’s struggled in a number of different cities and hasn’t lived up to the potential set for him when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning called defenceman Luke Schenn a “pleasant surprise”. On Sunday he said the team is interested in retaining the pending unrestricted free agent this off-season.
“ … [an extension] is something we’re going to look into,” Benning told the Vancouver Province. “We’ve been real happy with him and he’s done everything we’ve asked. Calling him a physical player and excellent leader to the younger guys on the team, management will talk with his reps at the end of the season.
Blackhawks to Consider Signing Extensions With Strome and DeBrincat Sooner Than Later
Scott Powers of The Athletic wrote that he thinks the Chicago Blackhawks might be considering extensions for forwards Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat early, even though both still have one season left on their current deals.
The Blackawks might be considering a seven-year extension for DeBrincat but the road to Strome’s next deal is not as clear. Current comparables could put DeBrincat at six-years and in the $42-$45 million range. If the Hawks wait too long, he could be an $8 million player. Strome had 40 points in 101 games between the Coyotes and Blackhawks but he really came on in Chicago.
If Strome is the Blackhawks second line center next season and puts up around 60 points, he becomes much more expensive a player than if the Blackhawks get the deal done right away. Powers suggests a fair extension could be six-years at $6.5 million per season.
Powers writes:
If Strome were headed to another contract this summer, the Blackhawks wouldn’t have to worry as much about him costing them a whole lot. But because he has another year to build on his worth, the Blackhawks do have to be somewhat concerned about having to pay him and DeBrincat at the same time.
The post NHL Rumors: Skinner, Canucks, Blackhawks, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Mar 31, 2019 02:20 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is updates on the level of interest in college free agent Nico Sturm, developments on the coaching situation in Ottawa, Finally, there is news on Roberto Luongo’s injury condition and what it means for both the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks if he can’t continue to playing.
College Free Agent Nico Sturm Has Offers
There are a number of updates on college free agent Nico Sturm in today’s rumor mill. Mike McMahon reported on Twitter that’s he’s been told it is “highly likely” that the forward from Clarkson will sign an entry-level deal and forgo his senior season. Multiple teams have lined up showing enough interest that it’s become a fairly easy decision.
Mike McMahon also notes that the team to watch here might be the Ottawa Senators.
There are other media guys in other cities noting their teams might be after Sturm as well. Michael Russo notes the Minnesota Wild are going hard after Sturm and if they are able to sign him, would be willing to bring him in right away and burn a year on his entry-level deal.
Crawford a Serious Contender for Coach in Ottawa
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion is looking at a number of candidates for the head coaching position with the Ottawa Senators after this season but current interim coach Marc Crawford is making a case for himself to get the full-time gig.
Garrioch writes:
Though Dorion joked with Marc Crawford “if he goes 18-0 he’s got the job,” the reality is the 58-year-old veteran NHL coach has emerged as a serious candidate because since he’s taken over he’s made an impact on the approach and the way this team plays.
The Senators don’t plan to talk with anyone until after the season end and exit interviews are conducted with all the players. Another strong candidate is AHL coach in Belleville, Troy Mann.
Eugene Melnyk is looking to bring a president of hockey operations, but it shouldn’t have any effect on the coaching position. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said that Melnyk is reaching out and asking for help and that Trevor Linden is one person who appears to have been contacted about the position.
Roberto Luongo Calling it Quits?
Kypreos also noted on Saturday that injuries are playing a huge factor in what will happen with goaltender Roberto Luongo‘s NHL career.
“Growing speculation that Roberto Luongo’s health may cost him playing in the National Hockey League in the future,” Kypreos said. Kypreos went on to say that the injury is not necessarily crippling for the Florida Panthers or Vancouver Canucks salary cap. Saying that if Luongo fails his physical, “He would get the remainder of his three-year contract and there’s no recapture penalties to the Florida Panthers and, more importantly, to the Vancouver Canucks.”
Interestingly, the Panthers were already rumored to be interested in goaltending free agent Sergei Bobrovsky. If Luongo can’t continue, that interest is pretty much a certainty.
Edmonton Oilers Prospect John Marino
Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson writes that the Edmonton Oilers might have some trouble signing their 2015 sixth-round pick John Marino. He just completed his junior season at Harvard but because he played a season of USHL hockey, he could opt to become an unrestricted free agent.
Edmonton could still sign him but other teams could as well. The 21-year-old defenseman had three goals and 11 points for Harvard.
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The post NHL Rumors: Sturm, Crawford, Luongo, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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